Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1887-11-03
FARM MANAGEMENT.
Suggestions Relating to tho Proper
fslicatfou of Manure

Suggestions Relating to the Proper An.
plicatfon of Manure.
Thirty years ago, horses and pigs
were the only farm animals kept in
this region that were supplied with
bedding. Cows and young cattle were
kept on . bare floor, and the manure
was in many cases thrown out of win
dows. to be washed under the caves of
the barn. About that time began to
supply all animals kept on the farm
with plenty of straw for bedding. and
have continued the practice ever since.
Straw is not suitable for feeding
calves, and where the COWS are fresh
early in winter for the purpose of WIN
ter dairying, there is no opportunity
to feed them straw with any profit
With plenty of straw used for bedding,
in connection with deep water-tigbt
gutter behind the COWS. the amount of
manure made is double what it was in
the old way, and the same amount ap-
piled to the acre is worth far more than
where no straw is used. Perhaps the rot
ting straw has mechanical as we'll as
chemical effect whereby the soil is benz
Gifted. Notwithstanding the state
ments made by scientific men that
straw is worth more to feed than for
bedding. I have not been able to use
it for feeding purposes with satisfac-
tory results, except to horses kept
largely on grain and worked lightly
in winter. Perhaps with light hay
crop it may be best to feed some
straw, but where straw is much used
for feeding. light hay crops will surely
follow.
Manure should be rotted before it is
applied. Most agricultural writer's
claim that there can be no loss when
the manure is taken directly from the
stable and spread on the land. and as
there is q saving of labor. this prac-
tice has been generally commended.
My own experience is that far more
benefit is received when manure is APP
piled in partially decom posed
state. and at a time when the
growing crop will Immediately
commence feeding upon it My
stable is SO constructed that team
can be driven around the rows of
COWS, and the manure loaded directly
from the gutter and drawn to the field
each day. My practice formerly was
to spread it from the wagon or sled,
until the snow was too deep to drive
over the field, and then for the remain
der of the winter put it in heaps of
thirty loads each-one of these heaps
on each two acres of the field. in posi-
ton convenient for spreading in the
spring. As there is straw in the ma
nure, and my stable never freezes. the
piles in the field commence warming
up at once; and by the time the land
can be plowed in spring, the manure
is in excellent condition. and the
spreader leaves it fine and ready for
use by the crop to follow.
After applying part of the manure
direct from the stable and the rest
from these rotted heaps, for years, I
observed that the portions of the field
where the manure from the heaps
was spread received far more
immediate benefit, and, contrary
to my expectation. the effect was
quite as lasting. So apparent is the
advantage In favor of the rotted
manure that have disco ntinued the
spreading from the stable. and now
use all manure in a decomposed state.
Only that made late in spring and
through the summer is kept over the
season. The piles in the field are
made four or five feet high, and fiat
ON top. and there is no loss from heat
ing and washing. and I think one
load is worth two or three of such as /
IL, xx,ho n fnr
was used, and the piles left under the
ewes through the summer. can see
no possible advantage in keeping
manure q year or more before using
it
OF the great value of the spreader
all who have used it must be con-
weed, but several of your correspond
ents find difficulty is using it to adj
vantage, as it is not very convenient
for moving the manure from the barn
to a distant field. If they will adopt
my method of drawing to the field as
fast as made, and placing in heaps
convenient for the spreader,
their difficulty will vanish We
have used the spreader five
years with much satisfaction, and COM
mend it to every farmer fifty
acres or moro of land. Where Thirty
head of cattle or more are kept and
where there is snow. or the ground is
frozen. it is by far the best way to take
the manure direct to the field from the
stable. Some readers will say that the
spreader Is an expensive tool. and he
can not afford to buy one. No farmer
with hundred loads of manure to
spread each year can afford to do with
out one. The manure is worth far
more when the spreader Is used, and
much hard labor is saved.
lido not own spreader, but own
grain drill, which cost about the same.
and bv agreement lend the drill to a
neighbour. who has spreader. and
have his spreader in return. This ar
ranoement is commended to the con-
sideration of all small farmers peace
ABLY inclined. / should have stated
above that two or three men can be
used to advantage with one spreader.
1t takes so short a time to unload that
the men will handle as much manure
in day as they would by continuous
loading.-C S. Rice. in Country Gem
Henaan.
Rice Croquettes: Soak some rice.
ILL Wbap II ia done